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We, here at the Greensboro Science Center, are getting excited for Super Bowl XLIX this weekend! Perhaps no one is more excited than our most adorable football fan, little Kuechly.

Kuechly On Her Panthers Blanket

Even though our beloved Carolina Panthers won’t be playing on Sunday, Panther Pride is certainly still alive and well at the GSC… In fact, we support our home team so much that we’ve named a penguin after one of our favorite team’s players… Meet Kuechly (pictured below with her sibling at about 10 days old), who was born on December 8, 2014 to penguin parents Pilchard and Possession.

Kuechly and Her Clutch-Mate

You might be wondering why we named this little girl after Kuechly instead of another Panther. Well… let’s just say our lead penguin keeper MAY have just a SLIGHT crush on the real Luke Kuechly. Her birds, her rules, right? (Don’t worry, fiancé Drew… she assures us her heart is still yours.)

Carmen and Kuechly: Panther Fans

Luke Kuechly, if you’re reading this… We’d like to invite you to come meet little Kuechly! Just let us know when your schedule allows and we’ll set up a penguin meet and greet with your namesake. We’d also love for you to join us for our second annual Tuxedo Trot on April 25, 2015 (World Penguin Day). It’s a 5K and fun run we’ve created to raise money for SANCCOB, a non-profit organization devoted to saving endangered wild African penguins. Check it out here: http://www.tuxedotrot.com/

Please note: Kuechly is not on exhibit just yet. She’s still growing in her waterproof feathers and will join the rest of her colony when she sharpens her swimming skills!

On Saturday, January 24, the Greensboro Science Center will be transformed into an island oasis for Pajama Jam, sponsored by Chick-fil-A. From 6:00 – 9:00pm, families are invited to escape winter’s wrath and join us for a Caribbean themed pajama party featuring great games, live music, awesome activities and tasty treats courtesy of Chick-fil-A.

Pajama Jam

Join the Conga line, show off your best dance moves or play Driftwood Limbo to cool Caribbean beats played live on a steel drum. Play penguin bowling, surfboard ring toss and go fishing for great prizes. Get a temporary tattoo and make cool crafts to remember the night!

Underwater adventures await party-goers in the OmniSphere Theater. You’ll also be able to meet some entertaining aquatic animals in the SciQuarium!

Chick-fil-A Cows will be grazing through the Center, dressed in their best jammies, ready to pose for photos! After all of these exciting games, crafts and activities, guests are sure to have worked up an appetite! Well, have no fear… Chick-fil-A will be serving up snacks free of charge to participants.

Admission to the Pajama Jam is $10 (plus tax) for Greensboro Science Center Members and $12 (plus tax) for Non-Members. Children 2 and under are free. Tickets are on sale now and can be purchased on site or over the phone at 336-288-3769. Capacity is limited but walk-ups are welcome, based on ticket availability.

Be sure to dress in your best pajamas (you too, grown-ups!) and jam with us at the Pajama Jam!

There’s no denying it. It’s just plain cold outside today. When the temperatures drop, Greensboro Science Center visitors tend to (understandably) plan their day around access to heat and hot coffee. So, for those of you who are considering a visit this winter, we thought we’d help you out by answering a common question we receive this time of year: What’s the best way to enjoy the Greensboro Science Center when cold temperatures arrive?

We recommend starting your day in The Fresh Market Café with a cup of hot coffee and maybe a muffin to warm up after the chilly trek in from the parking lot. From there, take some time to explore the museum while you wait for the temperatures to warm up. Starting in the lower level of the museum, check out some amazing reptiles and amphibians – from an ancient alligator snapping turtle to colorful (and quick) dart frogs, there are a variety of animals to learn about and enjoy. Don’t miss a visitor favorite – the two-headed turtle!

Triceratops!

Upstairs, you’ll have the chance to enter an ancient world as you stand next to a T. rex, stegosaurus and triceratops in the dinosaur gallery. Check out some amazing fossils from different eras in our planet’s history and watch some entertaining and educational short videos featuring Indiana Bones!

In the Extreme Weather Gallery, you can experience all types of extreme weather… including bitter cold… without setting food outside! Grab a Category 5 hurricane with your bare hands, attract electricity as you reach for lightning and feel the force of a tornado as you explore the fury and fun of Mother Nature.

In HealthQuest, you can explore your insides with entertaining and educational interactive experiences. Pick a giant nose, smell intestinal gas and force vomit from a gut… all in the name of science, of course. After learning about how the choices you make effect your health, take a break for a nutritious lunch at The Fresh Market Café.

In the afternoon, if the chill doesn’t keep you indoors, make your way out to Animal Discovery Zoo. Keep in mind as you’re visiting that if it’s really chilly, many animals may be in the indoor part of their exhibits. Several species are just like you; they don’t want to be outside in these cold temperatures all day. Many of our animals enjoy access to their heated homes and some – like crocodiles and tortoises – will stay inside all winter for their safety…. they simply weren’t made to withstand cold temperatures.

On the coldest days, tigers may be the only outdoor exhibit where you’re likely to see animals. The Discovery House, home to small, friendly mammals, birds, and reptiles, is also open for visitors to enjoy. Docents may be on hand to allow guests to touch some of our friendly critters.

Tiger in snow

Cold afternoons are a great time to sit back, relax and take in a film. The OmniSphere Theater offers a different show each hour. From undersea exploits to sky-high adventures, there are a variety of films to choose from. The schedule changes several times throughout the year, so be sure to check our website for the current schedule.

And even though it’s cold outside, it’s always warm in the SciQuarium! Wrap up your day enjoying the antics of African penguins, rare fishing cats and a Caribbean reef community featuring sharks, stingrays, eels and more. You’ll want to be sure to catch at least one Animal Experience – for example, a penguin feeding, otter enrichment or shark feeding. Although the schedule is subject to change, you can find our daily schedule on our website.

Fish in Amazon Edge

So, back to the question at hand… What’s the best way to enjoy the Greensboro Science Center when cold temperatures arrive? In short, we recommend you wear a hat, bring your family along, and experience the indoor offerings you’re often too busy to enjoy when visiting in warmer weather!

Although he’s not yet on exhibit, we couldn’t resist introducing you to Casper the Friendly Goat this Halloween.

Casper, the friendly goat

Casper is an approximately 6 month old Nubian Goat adopted by the Greensboro Science Center earlier this week. Around 2 months ago, Casper was surrendered to the Guilford County Animal Shelter after being attacked by a dog. The shelter called Red Dog Farm, a local non-profit organization dedicated to the rehabilitation, fostering and adoption of animals of all sizes. The organization took Casper in and paired him with Dick Young, a foster parent, to recover from his injuries and prepare for adoption.

Casper

Dick took great care of Casper. When he first arrived at his foster home, he was injured, skinny and skittish. Dick worked with a veterinarian to treat his wounds, beef him up a bit, and help him become more sociable. Now, he seems to really enjoy being around people and should be a great addition to the Center’s Friendly Farm.

Jessica Hoffman, the Center’s Curator of Birds and Mammals, said she has been waiting quite some time for a Nubian Goat to adopt. A dairy goat known for its characteristic floppy ears, the Nubian goat is typically an affectionate animal who likes people.

Due to his young age, zookeepers are hopeful that Casper will have fun testing his skills on the agility challenges recently added to the petting zoo area by Johnson Controls. Casper is currently in quarantine, so be sure to stay tuned to our Facebook page for more information about when he’ll be joining the other goats in the Friendly Farm. You’ll be able to easily identify him… our Nigerian goats are all dark in color while Casper, as his name suggests, is white as a ghost!

Duke, the Center’s beloved juvenile gibbon, will be off exhibit for a few weeks. Like a rambunctious young boy, he broke his arm and is now being treated by staff and our highly trained in-house veterinarian. The broken bone will be repaired by an orthopedic specialist at the NCSU Vet School.

If you want to help, please donate NEW towels and blankets, which Duke loves to nestle with. Monetary donations are also accepted.

What better way to celebrate fall than joining the Greensboro Science Center and The Fresh Market for a Pumpkin Palooza?!?!

For the 5th consecutive year, The Fresh Market is graciously donating pumpkins – and tasty pumpkin treats – for Greensboro Science Center visitors to enjoy during Pumpkin Palooza on Saturday, October 18, 2014. This event, which is free with general admission or membership, is filled with all kinds of fall family fun – from games and activities to entertaining animal enrichment and scrumptious snacks.

From 10:00am to 1:00pm, visitors will have the opportunity to watch our animals enjoy some pumpkin fun. It’s always amusing to see just what the animals will do with their pumpkins… play with them, crush them, eat them, swim with them, carve them (okay, maybe not)… Animals will be given their pumpkins at approximately the following times:

Animals aren’t the only ones enjoying the autumnal action. Kids will have a great time playing pumpkin and Halloween-themed games like Bag the Bat, Pumpkin Bowling, Ring the Pumpkin, Black Cat Golf and more!

Black Cat Golf

Temporary Tattoos

Both the young and young at heart can participate in face painting, hair chalking and receive temporary Halloween tattoos. Children will also be invited to make a pumpkin necklace to bring home.

We hope you can join us for this faSCInating fall festival! For more information about Pumpkin Palooza or to plan your visit, check out our website: www.greensboroscience.org/

Picture this: Round tables draped with crisp white linens elegantly arranged around the zoo plaza… At the center of each table, clear glass vases filled with sand and bamboo shoots set atop glass mirrors… In front of each seat, special souvenirs to remember the day: a plush red panda and a copy of Faces of the Earth… In the background, birds chirping, gibbons cooing, howler monkeys howling, tigers roaring…

Sounds like the perfect start to an unforgettable Saturday, doesn’t it? On Saturday, September 20, 2014, Red Panda Day ticket holders will be honored with a special treat typically reserved for the most extraordinary occasions: breakfast in the zoo.

Tai Eating Breakfast

While relaxing in this serene morning setting, sample some savory and sweet treats from the breakfast buffet, including hot sandwiches from Biscuitville, fresh baked bagels from Bruegger’s, juicy, ripe fruit from The Fresh Market, yogurt, applesauce and cinnamon rolls. Hot coffee from Beans Boro, tea, juice, milk and water will also be provided.

This breathtaking breakfast is really just the beginning. After enjoying a meal, Red Panda Day guests are invited to participate in red panda themed games and activities, special behind-the-scenes tours (some of which have never before been offered), and enjoy the Greensboro Science Center for the remainder of the day, all while supporting a very worthy cause. All proceeds from Red Panda Day will be donated to the Red Panda Network to support Red Panda conservation. Tickets are $30/person for Greensboro Science Center Members and $40/person for non-members. For more information or to purchase tickets, click here.